Still, despite struggles on the field and his missteps off it, Kelley’s players have spoken up in defense of their now former head coach, whether they believe he might actually be reinstated or not.

“I love Coach Kelley, and so does every single person on our varsity team,” Morro Bay senior Rocky Brebes told the Tribune. “He was more than a coach to us. He became family, and he always had our back. Whenever we were hungry, he would always get us food. If we ever needed clothes, he would always find us some clothes. Whenever we needed help in school because of bad grades or any of that, he would always find us support.”

Jim Pugh, the father of one of his players, said, “He is human and made a mistake. He is suffering, as are his boys. He was being disrespected by a young man who thinks telling an adult to (expletive) off is acceptable. He is a good man who has nurtured and loved all of those boys.”